R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-18-4: Service and return of notice.

The officer or other person charged with the service of the notification shall serve the notification by reading it to the party to be cited, if to be found; and if not to be found, by leaving a copy thereof at his or her usual place of abode; and shall, in his or her return, state the manner and time of the service; and whenever the service shall be made by any person other than a sworn officer, he or she shall verify the return, under oath, before some officer authorized to administer oaths.